Am I doing the right thing/ opinions on x rays

[MiLeTa]

When my boy had the xrays done that diagnosed his hock arthritis, the vet also took xrays of his stifles and said that they did not look brilliant and that they would probably need treatment. The original plan was to treat the hocks, see how he goes, and then treat the stifles at a later date.

He has been on painkillers to help him through until treatment, which have seemed to help him day-to-day (he's quite happy mucking around in the field), but still seems a bit sore when I take him in the school. I have been doing only inhand work with him as he is also quite sore in his back, which does not seem to have been improved by the painkillers. Due to this, I decided to get his stifles treated at the same time as his hocks (he will be having Arthrimid in all four joints) as my thinking was that I want to try to give his back the best chance I can to sort itself out (if that makes sense?). He also doesn't box rest brilliantly, so thought one lot would be less stressful for both of us than two.

The other reason for getting both done at the same time is that I will be moving yards in July. The new place should be a lot better for him (loads more turnout, and considerably better hacking with some nice hills- where we are now is all flat roads), but isn't quite as good if he needs box rest.

Having said all this, I'm now a bit worried that I may have jumped the gun on the stifles? To me they look like they do need treatment, but my vet seemed a bit surprised when I said that I wanted to do them at the same time as the hocks, although that could have been because of the change of plan. I do have other images of his stifles if these are the wrong ones to judge by, and have xrays of his hocks if people would like to see those as well.

I think I am just looking for some reassurance that I'm going down the right treatment path, really, as I've now got to a place where I am second-guessing myself, and if I'm not doing the right thing, there's still time to change plan!

 

[Widgeon]

I wonder whether your vet wants to work out which one is contributing most to the problem - hocks or stifles. If you sort the hocks, the stifles might become less of an issue (although I totally see your point about doing them all in one go!). All I can really contribute is, do you have to box rest? Mine has steroids (rather than arthramid) in his hocks, but we've never done box rest afterwards. If he's usually sensible in the field perhaps individual turnout might be an option? Maybe worth asking your vet anyway, if he's not happy on box rest.

 

[Landcruiser]

Mine had arthramid in his hock and box rest was never mentioned.

 

[AandK]

Mine was in for 24hrs after arthramid.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Mine had arthramid in his hock and box rest was never mentioned.

Mine always says 48hr box rest. Good to know it works without as my horse hates box rest

 

[MiLeTa]

Thank you for your replies.

Vet has said 5 days box rest to give the Arthramid a good chance to 'set'. I thought it was a bit long as when I read up on it, the longest box rest period I saw mentioned was three days, but when I tried to negotiate down to three days box rest and the other two in a small pen (about half the size of a school), she was quite insistent that it be the full five to try to make sure that the treatment is as successful as possible (with the caveat that if he turns into a complete devil horse we can use the small pen).

Turnout-wise, he's not a complete maniac in the field, but does like a play with his friends- unfortunately individual turnout is not an option as he absolutely hates it and will jump out, so the plan is, if we use the small pen, he will be turned out with one of the older horses who will hopefully be a calming influence on him

 

[scats]

I asked about box rest for a few days for my mare after arthramid and he said no, just turn out as normal and she’d be fine to hack out in 48 hours.

 

[Widgeon]

I asked about box rest for a few days for my mare after arthramid and he said no, just turn out as normal and she’d be fine to hack out in 48 hours.

Yes, same here for steroids

ETA - I'm not sure what your vet meant about the Arthramid "setting"? Going to have to go away and have another look at exactly how Arthramid works

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Mine was in for 3 days but he also had steroids in the joints as well but it's often advised to box rest because of infection, they are injecting into joints and they normally clip the area first so skin is also vulnerable.

Because your horse has multiple things going on behind it often impacts the back and si joint, after mine was treated fir hock arthritis and suspensory damage his canter was poor, so vet injected the si joint and he immediately looked so much better.

I would also get a good physio to help you with rehab I have mine out every 6 weeks initially after all the treatment then just assess as time goes on, you can often claim for it through your insurance until the claim expires.

 

[ihatework]

I would do hocks first - assess impact then do stifles. This will help your decision making for any future treatment if you do it stepwise.

 

[MiLeTa]

Yes, same here for steroids

ETA - I'm not sure what your vet meant about the Arthramid "setting"? Going to have to go away and have another look at exactly how Arthramid works

She said that too much movement too soon could potentially lead to some of it coming out (being pushed out?) of the joint space, which would reduce the effectiveness, and that the box rest would reduce the risk of this happening as it gives it a chance to 'set'.

 

[MiLeTa]

Mine was in for 3 days but he also had steroids in the joints as well but it's often advised to box rest because of infection, they are injecting into joints and they normally clip the area first so skin is also vulnerable.

Because your horse has multiple things going on behind it often impacts the back and si joint, after mine was treated fir hock arthritis and suspensory damage his canter was poor, so vet injected the si joint and he immediately looked so much better.

I would also get a good physio to help you with rehab I have mine out every 6 weeks initially after all the treatment then just assess as time goes on, you can often claim for it through your insurance until the claim expires.

Yeah, when he had nerve blocks a couple of years ago I was told to keep him in for 48 hours in case of infection- this last time, I was told it was ok to turn him out the next day as it's been so dry (no mud!), but she did pop bandages on for overnight.

Physio is booked to come and see him 2 weeks after the injections, and will discuss with her then how often she wants to see him following that (I was thinking every 4-6 weeks) and she's said that she'll give me some exercises to do with him as well. Good point about insurance- his does cover up to a certain amount of ££ for physio, etc, so will look at adding that to his claim!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Yeah, when he had nerve blocks a couple of years ago I was told to keep him in for 48 hours in case of infection- this last time, I was told it was ok to turn him out the next day as it's been so dry (no mud!), but she did pop bandages on for overnight.

Physio is booked to come and see him 2 weeks after the injections, and will discuss with her then how often she wants to see him following that (I was thinking every 4-6 weeks) and she's said that she'll give me some exercises to do with him as well. Good point about insurance- his does cover up to a certain amount of ££ for physio, etc, so will look at adding that to his claim!

Sounds like a good plan I initially did 6 week physio but now reduced it down to 10 to 12 weeks but my horse is 19 so you may not need them so frequent.

 

[Birker2020]

Mine always says 48hr box rest. Good to know it works without as my horse hates box rest

Mine said that too. Was very specific on that. A quick google search says the same.

 

[Kind horse lover]

My horse had arthromid in foot and Liphook said he could be turned out in 24 hours. However he had a joint flare so is currently on box rest with Bute.
My vet says it takes 4-6 weeks for arthromid to integrate so no exercise in that time. Obviously it’s the foot and not hock so may be different.